Are these our future politicians? Passionate high school students memorise every word of Julia Gillard’s ‘misogyny’ speech

A group of NSW high school students are challenging the idea that young people are not interested in politics after they delivered a fiery, impromptu rendition of former prime minister Julia Gillard’s famous misogyny speech.

The teens are all members of the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament, which aims to get high school students involved and invested in their country’s political, social and economic future.

Rita Andraos, a Year 11 student from Wollongong, said the group were on a long bus trip to Sydney when they began discussing their favourite political speeches of all time.

The 16-year-old, whose primary area of focus in the youth parliament is homelessness, said Ms Gillard’s takedown of then-opposition leader Tony Abbott during question time on October 9, 2012, was inspiring.

“We were talking about our favourite speeches, and mine is the misogyny speech, basically because it is such a landmark time in the feminist movement,” she told 9news.com.au.

“It was inspiring, especially as a young person who wants to go into politics.”

After the bus arrived in Sydney, a friend took out a camera to capture the moment Rita and four of her peers laughed and recited Gillard’s opening remarks word-for-word.

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“Thank you very much Madam Deputy Speaker, and I rise to oppose the motion moved by the leader of the opposition, and in so doing I say to the leader of the opposition, I will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man, I will not!”, the group shouts.

“And the government will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. Not now, not ever. The leader of the opposition says that people who hold sexist views and who are misogynists are not appropriate for high office. Well I hope the leader of the opposition has got a piece of paper and he is writing out his resignation!”

The former PM made headlines around the world when she blasted Tony Abbott in a speech about sexism and misogyny. ()

Ms Gillard delivered the speech in response to Mr Abbott’s motion to have then-Speaker, Peter Slipper, stood down over the publication of explicit text messages.

Ms Gillard’s polemic had an immediate, resonant impact and went viral around the world. But despite its acclaim, the speech was also criticised as political theatre, designed to distract and deflect attention from her defence of Mr Slipper, which some commentators labelled as problematic.

However, Rita credited the speech with motivating her to pursue a career in politics.

“She’s really inspired me to get into politics, and to become affiliated with politics, especially with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

“She’s changed the shape of women. I think by becoming the first female prime minister, it will become a lot easier for the next female prime minister”.

Former PM Julia Gillard in her school days. (Facebook)

Rita said she did not want to comment on the current political climate of Australia, but said the misogyny speech had made her feel empowered.

“The way I’m known is that I’m powerful, I try to influence the women around me, and tell them, go and watch the misogyny speech!”

She said the late Australian former prime minister Gough Whitlam’s “It’s Time” speech from his 1972 election campaign and US President Barack Obama’s 2008 “Yes We Can” address had also rated mentions during the discussion on the bus.